Automatic vent valve

ABSTRACT

A poppet valve operatively associated with a faucet having a pouring spout and a self-closing type valve structure for a sealed container wherein, when the faucet is opened, it will automatically open a vent in the upper end of the container, and vice versa.

' United States Patent Zehr Oct. 28, 1975 AUTOMATIC VENT VALVE [75] Inventor: William J. Zehr, Des Plaines, Ill. Primary Exami' 1er R0bert Reeves Assistant Exammer-John P. Shannon [73] Assignee: The Protectoseal Company, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rummler & SH

Bensenville, Ill.

[22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 519,849 5 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 222/481.5; 222/484 X A poppet valve operatively associated with a faucet [51] Int. Cl. B67D 3/00 h ving a pouring pout and a self-closing type valve [58] Field of Search 222/484, 487, 481.5; struct re for a e le container wherein, when the 137/583 faucet is opened, it will automatically open a vent in the upper end of the container, and vice versa. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1917 Bullard .l 222/484 X 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent 0a. 28, 1975 i llllllaz} AUTOMATIC VENT VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE In most normally sealed cans having an outlet spout in the lower end thereof and operable by, a springoperated, normally-closed valve, or otherwise, thefluid will not readily pour as a vacuum is created above the upper level of the liquidin the container, or such pouring will be very sporadic. Thus means must beprovided in the top of the can to release the vacuum. This is normally done by hand removal of a cap or propping open a spring-loaded cap, which must be replaced or the fluid in the container'will evaporate. Experience has proved workmen are careless in this regard and the vent cap is not replaced. If highly volatile fluids'are in the container, they will not only evaporate into the atmosphere but a spark or careless smoker may set off an explosion.

While automatic vacuum "vent valves have been used, they do not provide complete safety because of the following:

I. Only a small force (the vacuum) is available to open the valve.

2. Thus only weak springs can be used to maintain the valve normally closed.

3. Because of this small closing force, it is difficult to keep the valve from leaking fluid if the container is accidentally tipped over.

The present invention was conceived to obviate these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A poppet valve operative by opening the valve in the faucet of a container whereby, upon actuation of the outlet valve, it will pivot a crank lever positioned interiorly of the container and raise the poppet valve off its valve seat through a push rod. The poppet valve is relatively heavily spring loaded to normally urge the poppet valve to remain seated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the vent valve in closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the vent valve opened; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the device of the present invention with the container being shown in cross section and parts being broken away.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A safety container is normally provided with a handle 12, a filler inlet 14, a crown l6 and a bottom wall 18 secured to the side wall 20.

Adjacent the bottom wall 18, a self-closing faucet 22 is incorporated in the side wall for discharge of the fluid in the container. The faucet frequently comprises a one-piece spount 24 having a horizontally-positioned tube 26 opening into the interior of the container and securely anchored to the side wall 20. The faucet includes a pivoted handle 28 which actuates a valve stem 30 on which is secured a spring-loaded valve 32 normally biased to seat the valve 32 to closed position on its seat 34.

The valve stem 30 extends beyond the valve 32, as shown in FIG. 3.

The device ;of the present invention comprises a crank plate 34 having a portion 36 extending at right angles and pivoted at 38 to a bracket 40 which has one edge 42 thereof anchored to-the side wall of the container 22 and extending inwardly into the interior of the container. The lower end of a. vertically-extended push rod 44 is pivotally secured 'by pivot 46 to the innermost (towards the interior of the container) upper edge of crank 34.'A downwardly-extending valve seat tube or sleeve 48 is'anchored -tothe crown 16 adjacent its upper surface and partially extends upwardly, beyond the surface of the crown. (See' FIG. 3.) The tube or sleeve 48 is preferably positioned in the crown 16 on the opposite side of the filler opening 14.

The upper free end of the rod 44 is provided with a solid cap-like valve member 50 which is securely anchored thereto. The member 50 may be constructed of metal, lined with plastic, leather, etc., and is arranged to seat on the upper'end of the sleeve 48 with the upper end of the push rod located interiorly of said sleeve 48, as shown in FIG. 3.

A washer 52 is anchored on the rod 44 below the lower free end of sleeve 48 to act as a seat for the lower end of spring 54. The upper end of spring 54 bears against the lower face of crown l6 and the major part of the spring 54 surrounds the sleeve 48. Thus the rod is always urged downwardly to make certain the poppet valve 50 seats on the upper end of sleeve 48.

In operation, when the discharge faucet is opened by pressing the handle 28 towards the container, it will urge the valve stem inwardly towards the interior of the container opening valve 32 and the free end of stem 30 will bear against the right angled portion 36 of crank 34, thereby shifting the plate 34 about pivot 38 (see FIG. 2) and pushing rod 44 upwardly simultaneously moving valve cap 50 upwardly from its seat on the upper end of sleeve 48 and venting the interiof of the container.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic vent for containers comprising a container having a crown, a side wall and a faucet in the lower end of said container mounted on the side wall thereof, said faucet having a pivoted handle to actuate a spring biased valve stem having a valve and valve seat, the free end of the valve stem extending inwardly beyond the valve and seat, in combination with a vent valve, said valve comprising a crank plate pivotally mounted interiorly of said container and operatively associated with the free end of said valve stem, a push rod mounted to said crank plate and extending vertically in said container, a sleeve mounted vertically in the crown of said container with the major portion extending interiorly in said container, a valve cap mounted on the free end of said push rod for nonnally seating on the upper end of said sleeve, a spring on said rod for normally biasing said valve cap against the sleeve end.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein a bracket is affixed to the inner wall of said container and protrudes inwardly therein and positioned adjacent the lower end of said container, and said crank plate is pivotally secured to said bracket.

3. An automatic vent for containers comprising a container having a crown, a side wall and a faucet in the lower end of said container mounted on the side wall thereof, said faucet having a pivoted handle to actuate a spring biased valve stem having a valve and valve seat, the free end of the valve stem extending inwardly beyond the valve and seat, in combination with a vent valve, said valve comprising a bracket mounted in the interior of said container adjacent the lower end thereof, a crank plate pivotally mounted on said bracket, a bearing surface on said crank plate operatively associated with the free end of said valve stem, a push rod pivotally mounted at one end to said crank plate and extending vertically in said container, a sleeve mounted vertically in the crown of said container and projecting thereabove and with the major portion extending interiorly in said container, a valve cap mounted on the free end of said push rod for normally seating on the upper end of said sleeve, a spring on said rod partially surrounding said sleeve for normally biasing said valve cap against the sleeve end, and a seat secured on said rod for seating one end of said spring, the upper end of said spring bearing against the inner surface of said crown.

4. An automatic vent for containers comprising a container having a crown, a side wall and a faucet in the lower end of said container mounted on the side wall thereof, said faucet having a pivoted handle to actuate a horizontally positioned spring biased valve stem having a valve and valve seat, the free end of the valve stem extending inwardly beyond the valve and seat, a vent valve, said vent valve positioned on the crown of said container and means operatively associated with said horizontally positioned faucet stem to actuate said vent valve simultaneously with the actuation of the faucet. 

1. An automatic vent for containers comprising a container having a crown, a side wall and a faucet in the lower end of said container mounted on the side wall thereof, said faucet having a pivoted handle to actuate a spring biased valve stem having a valve and valve seat, the free end of the valve stem extending inwardly beyond the valve and seat, in combination with a vent valve, said valve comprising a crank plate pivotally mounted interiorly of said container and operatively associated with the free end of said valve stem, a push rod mounted to said crank plate and extending vertically in said container, a sleeve mounted vertically in the crown of said container with the major portion extending interiorly in said container, a valve cap mounted on the free end of said push rod for normally seating on the upper end of said sleeve, a spring on said rod for normally biasing said valve cap against the sleeve end.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein a bracket is affixed to the inner wall of said container and protrudes inwardly therein and positioned adjacent the lower end of said container, and said crank plate is pivotally secured to said bracket.
 3. An automatic vent for containers comprising a container having a crown, a side wall and a faucet in the lower end of said container mounted on the side wall thereof, said faucet having a pivoted handle to actuate a spring biased valve stem having a valve and valve seat, the free end of the valve stem extending inwardly beyond the valve and seat, in combination with a vent valve, said valve comprising a bracket mounted in the interior of said container adjacent the lower end thereof, a crank plate pivotally mounted on said bracket, a bearing surface on said crank plate operatively associated with the free end of said valve stem, a push rod pivotally mounted at one end to said crank plate and extending vertically in said container, a sleeve mounted vertically in the crown of said container and projecting thereabove and with the major portion extending interiorly in said container, a valve cap mounted on the free end of said push rod for normally seating on the upper end of said sleeve, a spring on said rod partially surrounding said sleeve for normally biasing said valve cap against the Sleeve end, and a seat secured on said rod for seating one end of said spring, the upper end of said spring bearing against the inner surface of said crown.
 4. An automatic vent for containers comprising a container having a crown, a side wall and a faucet in the lower end of said container mounted on the side wall thereof, said faucet having a pivoted handle to actuate a horizontally positioned spring biased valve stem having a valve and valve seat, the free end of the valve stem extending inwardly beyond the valve and seat, a vent valve, said vent valve positioned on the crown of said container and means operatively associated with said horizontally positioned faucet stem to actuate said vent valve simultaneously with the actuation of the faucet. 